PARLIAMENTARY EARLY DAY MOTION
WORLD SUMMIT FOR SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT (15 February 1995)

That this House welcomes the United Nations initiative in calling the World Summit for Social Development in Copenhagen on 6th to 12th March notes the careful preparation during 1993-1995 at different UN meetings of a Declaration and Action Programme giving top priority to three social objectives - the eradication of poverty, full employment and social integration; welcomes the decision of nearly 100 Heads of State, including Chancellor Kohl and President Mitterrand to attend the Summit; deplores the continuing indecision of the Prime Minister about his attendance; points out that the Government has done little throughout the last two years in readiness for the Summit, whilst substantial reports about the deteriorating social situation, especially affecting children, in rich countries, including the United Kingdom, as well as in poor countries, have been published, on the basis of national and international consultations and workshops, by other European Governments and also by UNRISD, UNDP and UNICEF; considers that growing poverty and social polarisation during the 1980s and 1990s is becoming endemic in the United Kingdom and in many other countries throughout the world; recognises that this requires urgent publication of the whole truth about social conditions and failed economic policies, and a determination to change national and international policies to radically diminish poverty, create many more jobs, diminish all forms of discrimination and establish social stability; and consequently calls on the Prime Minister to endorse the Declaration and Action Programme and confirm that he will represent the United Kingdom Government at the World Summit.

Sponsored by:
Baroness Corston (Labour)